The Oxford man laughed in his gentle, tired fashion.
“They are starting again,” said he, and the two hastened forwards to take their places at the tail of the absurd procession.
Their route ran now among large, scattered boulders, and between stony, shingly hills. A narrow, winding path curved in and out amongst the rocks. Behind them their view was cut off by similar hills, black and fantastic, like the slag-heaps at the shaft of a mine. A silence fell upon the little company, and even Sadie's bright face reflected the harshness of Nature. The escort had closed in, and marched beside them, their boots scrunching among the loose black rubble. Colonel Cochrane and Belmont were still riding together in the van.
“Do you know, Belmont,” said the Colonel, in a low voice, “you may think me a fool, but I don't like this one little bit.”
Belmont gave a short gruff laugh.
“It seemed all right in the saloon of the Korosko, but now that we are here we do seem rather up in the air,” said he. “Still, you know, a party comes here every week, and nothing has ever yet gone wrong.”
“I don't mind taking my chances when I am on the war-path,” the Colonel answered. “That's all straightforward and in the way of business. But when you have women with you, and a helpless crowd like this, it becomes really dreadful. Of course, the chances are a hundred to one that we have no trouble; but if we should have—well, it won't bear thinking about. The wonderful thing is their complete unconsciousness that there is any danger whatever.”
“Well, I like the English tailor-made dresses well enough for walking, Mr. Stephens,” said Miss Sadie from behind them. “But for an afternoon dress, I think the French have more style than the English. Your milliners have a more severe cut, and they don't do the cunning little ribbons and bows and things in the same way.”